The Internet of Things (IoT), while it sounds rather silly of a phrase, is this pretty fantastic idea of a globally interconnected continuum of devices, objects and things in general. It was once something we only saw in episodes of The Jetsons, but today, with all of our connected devices, we’re living it. It is the connection of all machines, devices, sensors, automobiles, cameras, and other "things" to help us improve operations and save valuable time and even a bit of dough.
The Oxford English Dictionary added the phrase "Internet of things" to its pages not too long ago, signaling a pretty big shift in our technological culture. There’s a bit of confusion among the industry on whether this definition is much different than that of machine-to-machine (M2M) technology, and some use both terms interchangeably, whereas others are unyielding about not confusing the two.
M2M is where “machines” use network resources to communicate with remote application infrastructure for the purposes of monitoring and control, either of the “machine” itself or the surrounding environment. IoT is the network of physical objects accessed through the Internet. So, what’s the difference and is IoT more than M2M? Does it have anything to do with remote management?
As IoT becomes more a of “thing,” companies will need to consider how to keep their IT networks safe and sound, and one way to ensure that is via remote site management. Some of the major pitfalls of IoT include breach of privacy, over-reliance on technology, and the loss of jobs.
As time has progressed, our current generation and the businesses within it have evolved with the “always-on” Internet and connected devices. However, relying on technology on a day-to-day basis, making decisions by the information that it gives up could lead to devastation. No system is robust and fault-free. This is where out of band management (OOBM) can open a discussion about how businesses can use M2M/IoT technology and still keep a watchful eye on systems without call-out visits. Essentially, manage remotely.
Networks crash because of very simple problems, problems that could easily be fixed if there was a physical means to fix them. An out of band management solution often provides exactly what network administrators need in order to get their hands on problems at remote network sites.
With an out of band management solution, you can easily connect to console ports on remote network devices, and invoke troubleshooting and configuration commands to quickly deal with malfunctioning network equipment without having to drive to a specific location.
Using an out of band infrastructure saves time and money, as relying on features like console servers can speed up the development cycle of new products and facilitate cooperation among different geographic areas and take advantage of emerging technologies like IoT and M2M.
Providers like Opengear (News - Alert) offer the out of band approach, providing monitoring access and control efficiencies that ensure IT services are available when the business needs them.